/ .W9 B6 
Copy 1 



1684- 1884. 

THE 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS 




OF 



WORCESTER. 



BY 



FRANCIS E. BLAKE. 



PUBLISHED BY FRANKLIN P. RICE. 



JiHntotital saiorfes rrlatinij to saJovcrstcr. 



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INCIDENTS 



FIRST AND SECOND SETTLEMENTS 



WORCESTER. 



By FRANCIS E. BLAKE. 




WORCESTER, MASS. : 

FRANKLIN P. RICE, Publisher. 

MDCCCLXXXIV. 



25736 







PUBLISHER'S NOTE. 

The following paper was read by Mr. Blake at a meeting of The 
Worcester Society of Antiquity, held May 6th, 1884, and is re- 
printed from the Proceedings of that Society. The facts which it 
]iresents, most of them heretofore unpublished or undiscovered, 
afford information of interest and importance /relating to the first 
settlements of Worcester ; and they are offered, at this time, as an 
appropriate contribution to the early history of the town. 



INCIDENTS 



FIRST AND SECOND SETTLEMENTS OF WORCESTER. 



The design of this paper is simply to bring to the notice of the 
public some facts relating to the early history of Worcester which 
have never been published, but which appear to be worthy of pres- 
ervation. 

It is evident that the sources of information concerning the y?;-^/ 
and second, and even the third settlements of this town, have not 
been exhausted by historians ; and that there exists to-day, a large 
amount of material possessing interest and value, awaiting the labor 
of some enthusiastic investigator. 

The present facilities for such investigation, render the labor 
comparatively light, as the records and files of papers in the various 
public offices of the State are much more accessible than they were 
forty years ago, and generally are in better condition. It is not to 
be inferred, however, from this remark, that all of our public rec- 
ords are in good order ; for it is a fact that some are still in a lam- 
entable condition of disorder and decay, and under the charge of 
officials who care but little or nothing for their preservation. 

Those who are conversant with the history of the first settlement 
of this place, are aware that Ephraim Curtis, of Sudbury, claiming 
rights by virtue of a purchase from the heirs of Thomas Noyes, 
took possession of a large tract of land in the heart of the planta- 
tion, and erected thereon a house. This location so seriously 



interfered with the plans of the Committee in laying out the planta- 
tion, that in May, 1674, they with the Proprietors, apphed to the 
General Court for relief, which was afforded by allowing Mr. Cur- 
tis to retain only fifty acres within the town, giving him an equiva- 
lent elsewhere for his remaining rights. 

This decision of the Court was the occasion of two law suits. 
It appears that Mr. Curtis had already sold two hundred acres of 
these lands to his brother John, who, not being able to take pos- 
session, brought suit in December, 1674, against Ephraim "for not 
making good his bargaine & Sale." The result was a verdict for 
the plaintiff, with ^(^40 damages and costs. In April, 1675, ^^' 
Curtis entered a suit against Mrs. Mary Bacon (formerly Widow 
Noyes) "for not making good the title of 250 acres laid out to 
John Norton «& sold to Ephraim Curtis" by her as executrix of her 
former husband, Thomas Noyes. This suit Mr. Curtis also lost. 

Among the papers connected with the latter case, (now in Mid- 
dlesex Court files) is a copy of the petition of the Committee and 
Proprietors to the General Court in May, 1674, above referred to, 
and also an attested copy of a personal letter from Major Gookin, 
one of the Committee, to Mr. Curtis. As Mr. Curtis has had the 
credit of being the first settler in the town, this letter possesses con- 
siderable interest, not only in showing the determination of Major 
Gookin (and presumably that of all the Committee) that Mr. Curtis 
should not under any circumstances be allowed to locate the whole 
of his purchase within the bounds of the town, but also in estab- 
lishing the fact that he was not the first to erect a house there. 

The letter is as follows : 

"Ephraym Curtes * 

"I Reced your letter and pervsed the 
Reccords about your clayme of land beyond the old fort at Quan- 
segamond I finde that you haue a deed from widdow noyce of two 
parcells of land thereabouts dated Ann" 1670 the one of two hun- 
dred and fiuety Acres granted to Thomas Noyes the other two 
hundred and fiuety acres granted to Mr. Norton and Assigned first 
to m'' John Payne and after to m"" Noyes and by his widdow sold 
to you as aboue Again I finde m^ Norton had a grant of two 



hundred and fifty acres in the yeare 1659 granted Indetifinitely no 
place appointed but you say that this farme was layd out and re- 
turnd and Confirmed to Noyes ann" 1665 there is no Such thing 
vppon Record, nor was there any such thing returned vntill in the 
Generall Court Aprill 29"' 1668 two yeares and more after noyes 
his death then that farme of two hundred and fiuety acres w"' a 
platt of it is returned and accepted by the Court,* indeed in sayd 
Returne it is sayd it was layd out ann" 65 by Thomas Noyce but 
as that was don without order of Court for him to lay out his owne 
Grant and none else to supervise it so it is the tjme of the returne 
and Acceptation which gives the grant right and mens pretences 
of laying it out Antedates now I heare you are building at that 
place if it be so I think you are out of your way and will loose all 
your Cost for that land is granted for a Towneship and is lajd out 
into seuerall lotts, and wee cannot Admitt your grant and returne 
for that of ours is a full yeare before yours being from the Generall 
Court in May Sixteene hundred sixty seuen and this you may 
Credit for a certeine trueth for I have both the orde" by me, arid 
in trueth wee cannot goe on with the plantation vntill wee haue 
the land which is as clearly ourrs as my house is mine And 

therefore I advise you in frendship to Consider w"' yourself and 
not to proceed again^' reason and law, you may haue that grant in 
another place that is free for ought I know) but in that place you 
neither can nor shall haue it vnless the law Give it you which I 
conceive it canno' or will not and as for you"' attempting to build 
vpon it &c wee are before hand with you for wee both mowed 
heere and built a smale house and digged in the ground a litle be- 
yond the brook before you ; you know there is the publick interest 
of a Towne that will plead against your clajme and there is twenty 
or thirty persons concerned in it and the Generall Court and all 
other Courts will doe us right especially when a publick Interest is 
concerned and not giue you that are a particcular person that land 
which you haue no legall right vnto before a Commity that 
haue right to it these things I haue suggested to prevent your 
trouble and further charge if you will make vse of and give of so. 

*This plan is in the State Archives. 



if not know for a Certeinty that the Comittee and partyes Con- 
cerned will not loose theire right there so with my loue to you I 
remayne Your loving freind 

"Daniel Gookin Sen"'" 
"Cambridge the 8*'^ 8"* 1675" 

"postscrijit Besides wee haue testimony that Thomas before 
his death promised to lay downe his right in that farme in order to 
setle a Plantation there you can be no looser for the two farmes 
cost you but forty three pounds and one of them is worth [ ] 

besides you may haue the grant in another place if you will 

"D. G." 

"Sup''scribed These ffor Ephraim Curtes 

at Sudbury" 

"That what is on the other side of this written is a true Copie 
Compared wth the originall letter (so signed & Sup''scribed) pro- 
ducd in the Generall Court in may last & therewith compared is 
Attested by Edward Rawson Secrety" 

Notwithstanding the fact that this attested copy gives the date as 
the 8th of the 8th month, idj^, we find that the copy was used in 
evidence in the County Court in April, 1675, while the original 
was so used in the General Court in May, i6'/4. The whole tenor 
of the letter also goes to establish the fact, that it was written be- 
fore the action of the Court in June, 1674, and hence there can be 
no doubt that the original was dated 16'jj, October 8. 

As has been stated, the Court sustained Mr. Gookin and the 
Committee, and Mr. Curtis was obliged to yield to the "publick 
interest." 

There appears nothing upon the Proprietors' or other records to 
indicate the progress of the settlement during the years 1673 and 
1674, and it is presumed that the number of actual settlers was 
small. The necessity, however, of a public house for entertain- 
ment of travellers became apparent, and the Committee made the 
following request of the County Court. 



"wee whose names Are underwritten, being a comittee of the 
Generall Court for Setling and ordering a new plantation, neere 
Quandsicamond pond in the Road way from Boston to Koneticut, 
haue (for diuers Reasons) given our approbation that Thomas 
Browne of Cambridge haueing built a house there do keepe an 
Inne or ordinary in that place & wee desire the Honored County 
Court of midesex to giue him Licence so to doe also to furnise 
Trauelers w** wine & strong watters obseruing the Rules therein 
directed by the Lawes, wittnes o'' Hands this Second of December 
1674 Daniel Gookin Sen'' 

Thomas prentis 
D Hencliman" 

In compliance with this request the Court on the 15th of De- 
cember, 1674, granted a licence to Thomas Browne to "keep an 
ordinary at Quansigamond Plantaceon." 

This record, besides giving us the name of the first innholder 
of the settlement, establishes the fact that Mr. Browne had built 
his house and settled there at that date. 

The "smale house" mentioned by Major Gookin, with that of 
Mr. Curtis and this of Mr. Browne, are the only houses of which 
we have found any record evidence previous to April, 1675, when 
the first survey of lots was made ; but there can be little doubt that 
several others had been erected. 

At what date the second settlement of the town actually com- 
menced does not clearly appear, although it is evident that some 
of the Proprietors were on the spot in February or March, 1684, 
and very probably had passed the winter there. 

The following order issued by the County Court, April ist, 1684, 
indicates that the settlement was fairly in progress at that time. 

"Whereas the Plantation of Quinsicamund hath some Inhabi- 
tants already there, & it being at least ten miles distant from the 
nearest English Tovvne, w'*" is too far to travail up on the Sabbath 
day to the Worship of God ; And for as much as the Committee 
of the Gen" Court for that place, viz' Majo' Gookin Esq' Capt 



lO 

Dani(,»l Hinchman and Capt Thomas Prentice have applied them- 
selves to this Court desiring that order may pass this Court, re- 
quiring the people there living to meet together on the Lords day 
to worship God. It is ordered by this Court that the people 

of the place do constantly meet together on the Sabbath days to 
celebrate the worship of God in the best manner they can at p'sent, 
& untill they do encreese to such a number as that they may be 
capable to call & meinteyn a learned pious & orthodox minister, 
as they will answer their neglect at their perill. 

"And Capt Daniel Hinchman is requested & authorized by this 
Court to take speciall care to prevent the prophanation of the Sab- 
bath day by neglect hereof." 

At the same time this order for the spiritual welfare of the set- 
tlement was made, the Court passed upon another matter of en- 
tirely different character. The record is as follows : 

"Nathaniel Hinchman is licensed and allowed to keep a house 
of entertainm' for Travailers at Quinsicamond for a year next en- 
suing. Also he is allowed to sell & furnish Travailers or Inhabi- 
tants with Rhum or other strong waters in Bottles of a Pint or 
Quart. But not to retayl any in his house or suffer Tipling there." 

This Nathaniel Henchman, theirs/ innholder of the second set- 
tlement, was a son of Capt. Daniel Henchman, and at this date 
was but twenty-two years old. Whether he had a house of his own, 
or his father's house served for the inn does not appear ; but no 
grants of land were made to the son at that time. The location of 
the father's house is understood to have been north of Lincoln 
square, near where the freight house of the Worcester and Nashua 
railroad stands.* 

By June, 1684, the settlement had so far advanced as to re- 
quire the appointment of a constable, fence viewer, and hogreeve, 
as appears by the orders of Court : 

*The Middlesex Court Records furnish the names of a few other licensed 
innholders, but all belonging to later years, viz. : James Rice, 1718; John 
Hubbard, 1720, 21, 23, 24, 28-30; William Jennison, 1726, 28, 30; Robert 
Grey, 1728, 29. 



1 1 



"17, 4, 1684. At the motion & desire of the Coniittee of y<= 
plantaceon of Quansicamund. This Court doth order that 



Weeks be constable for y' plantaceon for one year next ensuing & 
that he have all the pow' of a Constable as the law directs & Capt 
Daniel Hinchman is impowred to give S"" Constable his Oath."* 

"And Allerton is appoynted to inspect the fences & or- 
der about swine in s'' plantaceon for one year. And this order to 
direct the affair untill by y"^ law the s*^ Towne or plantaceon be 
capable to choose Towne officers according to law." 

The only other local ofificer during this period, to whom refer- 
ence has been found, is the clerk of the town. In Middlesex 
Deeds, vol, 13, page 294, is a record of land belonging to George 
Ripley, upon which "said Ripley built a house & Barne," which 
record is attested, May 21, 1688, as a "true Copy out of the first 
Book of records Kept for the Town of Worster by me John Wing 
Clarke Chosen by the Inhabitants there. "f 

In the Court files of Middlesex County are a number of papers 
relating to a suit of George Danson against Capt. John Wing and 
others in December, 1685. J An examination of these papers 
brings to light many facts connected with the history of Worcester 
at that period ; and as both Danson and Wing were prominent land 
proprietors in the town, a statement of the case, with some items 
relating to the personal history of the two litigants, appears desir- 
able. 

Capt. John Wing, a mariner, was for many years a resident of 
Boston. He was one of the founders of the Old South Church 
there, in 1669, an officer in the Artillery Company, active in busi- 

* Mr. William Weeks was a housewiight, and with his wife Jane (or Joan) 
sold his land "with the Dwelling House thereon" in 1686, to Isaac Bull, 
house Wright, for ;i^io. 

f This record is not found in the Proprietors' Book. 

J Among these papers are two certified copies of the agreement made by 
the Committee with Capt. Henchman in 1684, by means of which the some- 
what imperfect copy in the Proprietors' Records can be made complete. 



12 

ness affairs of the town, and keeper of the "Castle Tavern." This 
well known inn, subsequently called the "George," was situated at 
the corner of the present Elm street and Dock square, and was 
often honored by the presence of the Magistrates, Divines, and 
Military Men of the day. Many references to Capt. Wing and his 
tavern appear in the Journal of Judge Sewall, for instance : "Depu- 
ties treated me at Wing's after lecture" ; and under date of Sab- 
bath, Dec. 4, 1687 : "In the Even Capt. Eliot, Frary, Williams & 
Self Treat with Brother Wing about his Setting a Room in his 
House for a man to Shew Tricks in. He Saith, seeing 'tis offen- 
sive, he will remedy it. It seems the Room is fitted with Seats. 
I read what Dr. Ames saith of Callings, and spake as I could from 
this Principle, that the man's Practice was unlawfull, and therefore 
Capt. Wing could not lawfully give him accomodation for it. Sung 
the 90"^ Ps. from the 12"^ v. to the end. Broke up." 

In October, 1684, Capt. Wing was appointed a member of the 
committee having charge of the plantation of Quinsigamond, to 
fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Capt. Beers.* . Several 
months before this he had become interested in the town, and 
early in 1685, he was admitted as an inhabitant and became pro- 
prietor of several tracts of land therein. Previous to March of that 
year he had erected a house, and in that month commenced the 
building of his mills, which local historians affirm to have been 
the first mills in the township, though they do not fix the date of 
erection. 

*The Court Records so have it, but the original order on file shows that 
Adam Winthrop was confirmed as a member of the committee, Oct. 17, 1684, 
and four days after, the Magistrates "Judge meete to Add Capt Wing to bee 
of this Comittee." (State Archives, vol. 112, page 370.) 

There is something singular about the order of Court, 1684, adding Capt. 
Wing to the committee. The Court Record shows only Wing added, while 
the original paper (copy annexed) shows Winthrop and Wing. Winthrop 
vfc-as one of the committee in 1685, but there is nothing in the records to show 
his appointment. I question if Wing was appointed to "fill vacancy oc- 
casioned by death of Beers," as has been stated by others, and is in fact so 
recorded in the Court Records. 

The following is a copy of the petition and order for the naming of the 
town, and the appointment of Winthrop and Wing: — 



In the general agreement made by the Committee with Capt. 
Henchman for the (hstrihution of land in the township, three lots 
were to be granted to "the builders is: mainteyners of a Saw milne," 
and the like number for a "grist milne." A grant was made to 
Capt. Wing of "6 lots for his mills," and all the facts which have 
come to our notice indicate that he erected both saw and grist 
mills in 1685, although this conclusion does not agree with that of 
some of your historians. He appears to have carried on his mill 
business in Worcester, and his "wine tavern" in Boston at the same 
time, besides attending to much public business of both towns. 
His services to the new township were many and varied ; in fact 
it is surmised that, in the language of this day, he "run the town" 
after the death of Capt. Henchman. These services appear to 
have been appreciated by his fellow townsmen, as will hereafter be 
shown. 

"At a Gen"" Court held In Boston ye 15th. October 1684/ 
"Vpon ye Motion & desire of Maj" Gen"" Daniel Gookin Cap' Thomas 
Prentice & Daniel Henchman this Courts Coniittee for ye selling of a new 
Plantation neare Quansikomon pond 

1 Humbly desireing y' ye Court will please to name ye Town Worces- 
ter, & y' ye Brand niarke for cattle there may be thus ■'-t-t- 

2 That one of sd Comittee being deceased y' ye Court will pleas to 
appoint a fitt man to supply his place, for to help in ye further setling 
of s*! Town to all intents c& purposes as formerly ordered; & do hum- 
bly ppound to ye Hon'''^ Court y' M'' Adam Winthrop may be ye per- 
son, I)eing one interested in s'^ Town. 

The Depu'^ Judge meete to graunt all the 
aboue mentioned pticulers & desire o"" 
hon"' magis'>* Consent thereto 

William Torrey Cleric 

Consented to by the magis'" Edward Rauson Secret 

I7»'» of October 1684. 

The magis*'' Judge meete to Add Capt wing to bee of this 
21 Octol) 84 Comittee their brethren the Deputyes hereto Consenting- 

Edward Rawson Secret 

Consented to by the Dep'*' 

William Torrey Cleric" 

[Fac-siinilo next page] 







i^^ 



4 |!"l , 












S ^ .^ V ^ 



^1 ^^1 I 



^3 I 
■^- ^ \- ^ 










15 

Whether Capt. Wing attempted to keep an inn also in Worces- 
ter, or whether after his death, his house was occupied for that 
purpose, may possibly be determined after further investigation. 
Judge Sewall records concerning a journey to Springfield in 1716 : 
"Din'd at Capt. Wings old house in Worcester : writt to Mr. Parris 
at Rice's eat Roast Turkey near Strawberry Hill. I eat mine at 
Sarah vStebbings. Got to Brookfield a little after sunset." 

Wing appears to have been in Worcester in 1692, but in 1693 
he was at Pemaquid as one of the commissioners to treat with the 
Eastern Indians. (See Mass. Archives, vol. 30, page 339.) 

His death occurretl in 1702, and by his will probated in Boston 
in March, 1702/3, he left his "Frame House and Land in Wor- 
cester with four hundred acres on the west side of the river & run- 
ning to the north pond & northerly to the top of Prospect Hill," 
to his son Cord, who subsequently conveyed all rights to Messrs. 
Palmer, Oulton »& others. The inventory of his estate in Worces- 
ter showed — * 

" Housing tv; T.and ;iioo 
Stock of value of 21 

household goods 6 

.Sundry Irons for mills .and husbandry 30 

Amies 3 10 " 

His estate in Boston was of much greater value, but his property 
was somewhat involved by various judgments outstanding. In fact 
he appears to have had considerable knowledge of the vexation at- 
tending law suits, for as late as November, 1702, he asked the 
General Court for an act to review his case with a Capt. Bant, 
stating the results of several trials, and asserting that he had "al- 
ways had Extreame hard measure in y^ premises, the said Bant 
having fee'd all the Attornies but one in the Country ; and some 
times yo'' pef could hardly get that one, a day or two before the 
Tryall," &c. 

*In 1712 his estate was appraised at " £\'^2. 17. & i-^ penny weight, not 
allowing anything for the houseing being gone to decay." (Middlesex 
Deeds, vol. 16, page 207.) 



i6 

There are other interesting items concerning Capt. Wing, the 
"leading man" of Worcester in 16S5, but this must suffice for the 
present purpose. 

George Danson, a Quaker, and a " loaf bread baker" of Boston, 
was also in 1685 a proprietor of lands north of the "Citadell" and 
of Capt. Wing's, west of the Mill Brook, extending to North Pond. 

What induced Mr. Danson, an old man as he then was, to go to 
Worcester, does not fully appear ; but if he, as a baker, had an eye 
to the improvement of the water power for a grist mill, (and ap- 
pearances indicate that project) his plans were completely frus- 
trated, for his final grants effectually forbid him from interfering 
with the water privileges of his neighbor, Capt. Wing, who had 
previously secured the most desirable spot for his own mills. 

Mr. Danson erected a house upon his lots, though it may be 
questioned if he, himself, passed much time in the town. The lo- 
cation of his house is indicated upon a plan of his land which I 
have discovered in the State Archives, [Vol. 112, page 421.] a 
copy of which is deposited with this Society ; and I have no doubt 
that the spot thus occupied can be definitely determined by one 
familiar with Worcester topography. 

Danson's life had not been an uneventful one, though differing 
greatly from that of his neighbor, Capt. Wing. In 1674, while 
living in Middleborough, he was fined forty shillings "for doeing 
Seruill worke on the Lords day" ; and before another year he lost 
his house by fire and removed to Boston, the Boston Town Rec- 
ords stating, November 25, 1675 : "George Danson & his wife 
quakers haueinge a house burnt at Midleborowe in Plymouth patent 
lodgeth at John Warrens." With three other loaf bread bakers of 
Boston, in 1679 he appealed to the authorities for relief from op- 
pressive regulations concerning the weight and price of bread. 

In the State Archives is a petition of Mr. Danson written in the 
year 1677, describing both himself and wife as "antient," and re- 
spectfully, yet pathetically, asking permission to retain in their house- 
hold an Indian woman, whose services, under their instruction, had 
become of some value to them. Twice was he whipped in Boston, 
for attending religious services of the Quakers in 1677. 



17 

By his will, probated in 1692, he gave his house and five hundred 
acres of land in Worcester to his wife, and made bequests to his 
grandchildren, George, Charles and Elisabeth Crosweight, a name 
appearing as Crcswait in the Proprietors' Records of Worcester. 

The inventory of his estate shows that he was i)ossessed of con- 
siderable property, which included a large stock of dry goods and 
other wares, indicating the character of the merchandise considered 
in those days necessary for such a business. There is but little in the 
inventory to suggest the trade of a baker, which business, however, 
may have been surrendered for that of a merchant or general 
trader. 

From these imperfect sketches of Capt. Wing and Mr. Danson 
we will proceed to the controversy between them. 

In the case of Danson vs. Wing, the Court Records, under date 
of Dec. 15, 1685, recite that "S'd Wing& confederators did on the 
2'^ of this instant October violently set upon & assault the Plaintiff 
as he was laying out some parcells of land at the Towne of Wor- 
cester in the Coun- of Middlesex that the pi purchased of & was 
granted unto him by Capt. Daniel Henchman" &c. ; and "ordr- 
ing his man to cut the bound marks & violently taking away the 
Surveyors Chaine who was imployed by the PI. so disappointing 
them & defaming the Pis title, the Damage the PI. hath susteyned 
being about Twenty pounds mony with all due damages accord- 
ing to attachm* dat. in Boston Octob'. 9, 1685." &c. 

At the same time there was entered a suit of Danson vs. George 
Fyke, Thomas Hall, Caleb Sawyer, Charles IVilliams and y^ohn 
Turner, in which the plaintiff alleged that the defendants did "sett 
upon & assault the pi. as he was laying out a parcell or parcells of 
land at the Towne of Worcester .... driving the pi. & his sur- 
vey""" & the persons imployed by him from the s'' work, & breaking 
his Chaine, cutting out bound marks" &c. 

In both cases the defendants claimed that the plaintiff could 
prosecute on one count only, either for assault or for defamation 
of tide, and this being allowed by the Court, the plaintiff chose the 
latter, (perhaps unfortunately) and lost both cases, the verdict in 

3 



i8 

the first case being for defendant, with costs "Two pounds Eighteen 
& a groat" ; and in the second, with costs "one pound fifteen & 
Eight pence." The testimony bearing upon the alleged assault, 
and also that in reference to the title, is quite voluminous, but some 
abstracts may not be uninteresting. 

The land in question was on the west side of the Mill Brook, 
near the North Pond, Danson claiming the land between the pond 
and Wing's on the south. The location of Capt. Wing's mills is 
generally considered to have been on the west side of Mill Brook, 
north of Lincoln square. 

In regard to the assault, David Fiske, the surveyor, "aged 62 
yeares or thereabouts," testified "that he was hyred by George 
Danson to survey some land at Worcester being so ordered by 
Capt. Daniel Henchman," that "George Pyke violently broke y"'' 
Deponents Chaine w*^'' Chaine so broke cost y*"" Deponent Flight 
Shill : in money, the which disappointed me yo'' Deponent in my 
whole Journey which was four days besides my damages for want 
of s*^ chaine, for which foure days George Danson hath paid me 
for, being seven shill ^ day," &c. 

Nathaniel Henchman (the licensed innholder) gave similar tes- 
timony, as did Digory Sargent, whose name is familiar to all con- 
versant with the early history of the town. 

Mr. Fiske, Mr. Henchman and Samuel Daniel also testified that 
Capt. Wing, Thomas Hall and George Pyke interfered while they 
were measuring Danson's land, and "cutt out the marks & took 
hold the Chaine we measured w"^ & so by force stopped o' work 
that day & the next day Geo. pyke Caleb Sawyer Charles Williams 
& John Turner came & say'^ they would stop us of o"' work & s"^ 
George Pyke lay*" violent hold of o'' Chaine & broke it in pieces & 
carryed away part of it." 

This abstract of the testimony appears to be a fair statement of 
the alleged assault upon Mr. Danson in October, 1685, in this 
town. But this little affair was not the first instance (nor the last) 
of a breeze between the same parties — the "Captain" and the 
"Baker" — and the remaining evidence may be of more interest. 



19 

George Pyke and Thomas Hall, two of the defendants, testified 
"that in month of March 1685 or nere thervnto they were present 
with Capt" Daniel Henchman at Capt" John Wings House in Wor- 
cester & did there heare him the S'' Henchman say that this Land 
now in controversey betwixt Geo. Danson & Cap' Wing he had 
])romised it to Cap'" Wing & that noe body should c[ome] betwixt 
him & the north pond to take the water from him because of his 
mills which were then in building «& since finished* & that it was 
beneath him Cap' Henchman to grant [any] other man land there 
to do Mr. Wing such an injury who [had] done soe great good to 
the town. And we heard mr Wing say to Danson I am called by 
you black dog at Boston what am I now, to which mr Danson 
say*^ you rogue lie make you know this is my Land get you off it 
& held up an ax with the edge towards mr. Wing he saying I hope 
you will not strike to which Danson answered noe, & sayd I am 
[not] afraid of you & mr Wing sayed I am not afraid of you. Then 
sayed the Surveyer with his compas in his hand I hope Cap" Wing 
you will not hinder mee noe sayd Cap" Wing He let you have the 
Chainc & then they mr Wing & Danson Shooke hands & bid each 
other [good] night lovelingly after they had walked about and 
[ ] together. 15-10-85" 

Mr. Hall also testified that "at Prospect meadow he heard Capt 
Daniel Henchman say vnto Cap' Wing you know it was my mind 
all waies that you should have this land & I did doe what lay in 
my power to hinder Danson from it but none other Land would 
serve him & he would have none other & more Cap' Henchman be- 
ing after at my house & also betwixt Lancaster & Worcester did 
say that the sd Land was Cap' \Vings & now let him doe his parte 
to lay it out for he Cap' Henchman say'' he had done his parte & 
would do noe more on that side the River & those last words were 
spoke in squash time about the beginning of July last. And 

Cap' Henchman say** when I asked him why he hindered the Sur- 
veyer in Laying s"" Lands vnto Cap' Wing formeriy, he answered 

*This determines the date when the building of the mills was begun, as 
March, 1685; Wing's house was evidently built before that time. 



20 

me that I would hinder him from it but to hinder the town from 
buzing about my eares say'' mr Henchman. And I have heard the 
s'^ Danson say in threatning manner he would have my eares & that 
Rogue Pyke He have him whipt & He hinder the Rogues from 
giueing in testimony for Cap' Wing." 

If the alleged statement of Mr. Henchman is correctly inter- 
preted, it confirms the impression that the people of the town were 
ready to side with Capt. Wing, and that Henchman was afraid of 
the "buzing" which might result from any action favorable to Mr. 
Danson. 

"John Turner doth testify that in may last he was travelling be- 
twixt Quansuggamond Pond & Captaine Henchman his house with 
him & I speaking to him if the Land on the right hand of us were 
taken up to which he answered yes, then I asked him if I might 
have a Lot on the Westerly side of the river betwixt Capt Wings 
house & the north pond to which Cap' Henchman did answer I 
could not have land there because it was aloted or graunted to Cap' 
Wing hoame to the north pond & this Land in Controversy betwixt 
Cap' Wing & George Danson is a parte of that Land mr Hench- 
man sayd was granted to mr Wing as before" 

Digory Sargeant gave similar testimony, adding that Henchman 
said "I am exceedingly greived because Samuel Daniel hath shewed 
the abovsd Land vnto the s"* Danson, & none other Land now will 
content him but that for I had rally granted it to Cap' Wing & 
jntended it for him And I heard mr Wing say to mr Hench- 
man when we were goeing to laying it out to George Danson you 
granted it to mee, & in ffebruary or march last I heard Capt" Hench- 
man say he had disposed of all the lotts except one & rather than 
that should make a difference he would lay down ten shillings cSc 
take it to himself" 

Peter Goulding's testimony was "that at a meeting of all the 
Comittee men for Worcester he did declare vnto them that one 
hindrance of peopling that place (as he thought) was the late 
granting soe much land to wit twenty lots to George Danson to 
which Major Generall Gookin sayed with his consent he the Sd 
Danson Shall have but halfe his 20 house lots nere the town & the 
rest remote." 



2 I 

'William Weeks, the constable testified that "in ffebruary or nere 
that time 16S3/4* there was a parcell of Land in Worcester nere 
Prospect hill designed for Cap'" Wing which he did not like off, 
then I spoke to Cap'" Henchman & sayed that Cap'" Wing did not 
like of that land to which Cap'" Henchman sayed then he shall 
take his land where he will & quickly after Cap'" Wing & this De- 
ponent & George Pyke went vp to the north pond & from theare 
we turned by Prospect hill, & tryed the land as we went, then sayed 
m"" Wing this is the land I intend to take vp all on the western side 
of the river vnto the north pond. iS: a litde after I went to Cpt" 
Henchman for a grant of Land for me as he had promised it there. 
Then he told me I could not have it, Cap'" Wing had taken it vp 
I must get it elsewhere." 

George Ripley, "aged near forty one yeares," testified in rela- 
tion to a contract made by himself, Samuel Daniel and Matthew 
Tomly [Tomlin] with Mr. Danson, to "get fit and set up" fifteen 
"Score rodds of ffence," for which they were to be paid at the rate 
of fifteen pence per rod. 

These papers bring to notice quite a number of the inhabitants 
of the town in 1684 and 16S5. 

There is some evidence tending to show that in June, 1683, 
there was discussion among the Committee about limiting Capt. 
Henchman in laying out lots, but Mr. Henchman opposed such 
action. It is quite apparent that there was not perfect harmony be- 
tween the Committee and Capt. Henchman in regard to his dis- 
tribution of lands ; and at the time of this trial, two of the Com- 
mittee, Messrs. Prentice and Winthrop, sent a message "to signify 
vnto this Honorable County Court & Jury that wee doe dissent 
from & disallow of the largenes of the grant of Land there vnto 
George Danson & also of his haveing any Land to be layed out 
there on the westerly side of the river betwixt Caj)'" Wings house 
& houselot & the north pond & we have heard Cap'" Henchman 
say he intended that land for mr Wing." 

* These statements show conclusively that Capt. Wing became interested 
in Worcester lands early in 1684. Mr. Weeks and Mr. Pyke had evidently 
already settled there. 



22 

This testimony showing Capt. Henchman's promise of the land 
in question to Capt. Wing, was met by the plaintiff with an affidavit 
of Capt. Henchman himself, who was then lying at the "point of 
death" in his house at Worcester. This interesting document is as 
follows : 

"Worcester Octo. 5"'. 85. 
"Recived of mr. Danson five pounds ten shilings for eleven Lotts 
in Worcester and nine Lotts which he bought of severall persons 
and have delivered me the assignments of them in all twenty Lotts 
And he chose his planting Lotts to be Layed out next Cap' Wings 
planting Lotts which land piched uppon by him I ha"'' not disposed 
of to any other person or promised the same uppon any other ac- 
count to any : or was it in my power So to do And the molesta- 
tion given him by Capt Wing is unjust This I testifie as one at 
the Point of deth the Riteous God knoweth I speake the truth. 
"Witnes David ffiske "D Henchman" 

Nathaniel Henchman" 

Mr. Fiske swore that he saw Mr. Henchman sign this, and the 
son, Nathaniel, deposed "having written it from his mouth. He 
being of perfect understanding then, & to ye day of his Death." 

Mr. Danson was very fortunate in securing this acknowledg- 
ment, as Capt. Henchman's death occurred ten days after : Oct. 
15, 1685. 

Concerning this death, Judge Sewall says in his diary : "Mon- 
day, Oct. 19, 1685 About nine oclock at night News comes to 
Town of Capt. Henchman's Death at Worcester last Thursda)' : 
buried on Friday : Very few at his Funeral, his own Servants, a 
white and black, carried him to, and put him in his Grave. His 
Wife and children following and no more, or but one or two more."* 

That he, so well known and so prominent in civil and military 

* In settlement of Capt. Henchman's estate there is an item of "Funeiall 
charges ;^i6. 3. 10." The inventory shows: "House, stock and goods in ye 
Country prised by James Ford and Is : Bull 49. 03. 00." 



life, should, in tliis cjuict village, be laid away in the grave, with 
scarcely one beside his family present, seems a pathetic ending of 
a busy and useful life. We have queried if his connection with 
the granting of land to Mr. Danson had not so offended the set- 
tlers as to keep them away from the last funeral rites. 

The settlers were evidently on the side of Capt. Wing, and were 
strongly opposed to any abridgment of his rights on the mill stream. 
This is more clearly shown by the following statement subscribed 
to by ten persons, comprising, as they affirm, the tnajority of the 
inhabitants of the town at that time. It is, we believe, the earliest 
list of actual settlers that has been found, and is, perhaps, the most 
interesting of the papers here presented. It will be noticed that 
it is dated but one day before the trial, and was evidently prepared 
at short notice. 

"Woster this 14 of december 1685 

"Wee whos nams are vnder Reten being the grater nomber of 
the Inhabetent now setelled in the town of woster haueing con- 
sedered And ben witnese of the grat expenc that mr John wing 
has ben At in l)elding lies mills which is moch for oure benefet 
And convenent[ ] x\nd of letell profet to him nor like to be 

yet Awhilles Allso his hellpfullnes in oure poglek consernments 
And forderanc of the setellmet of this town : we doe Apru[ ] of 
his choyc of that trak of land lying from [ ] corner of the set- 
edell And where it dos begin And Runnes on the westery sid of 
the mill rever tel it met the north pond tho this being more than 
his forsl deuission yet that he oft in All Justes to poses the remain- 
er As his [ ] that he may haue the land on that sid of 

the brok as his propryety that no person may dam Aboue him to 
hender his mills : as Allso wee [ ] lok At it to be his right 

for As moch As seauer[al] of vs doe know that Capten Hinche- 
man did promis this Lokt of land to said wing Apears and before 
Euer gaug dansen saw this pl[ ] of that land as Allso be [cause] 
som of vs woled [have] som of oure deuissione of land theare but 
Captain hinchman toulld vs that we [should] not for he had promes 
that land to Cap wing And we haue Euer cenc loked At it to be his 
only thet it was not mesered to him but we loked it sholld haue 



24 

ben don in convenent tim it is oure desires that such uncomfort- 
abell dife[rences] may be put to An End And that this land may 
be setelled vpon Cap wing youres in all sobmecktion 

"William x Wekes Isaac Tomlin Thomas Hall 

his mark George Rosbrough Pe. Goulding 

Thomas Allerton Digory Sargent 

Isaac Bull Willam ^ pers 

lames homes his mark" 

The name of William Pers does not elsewhere appear among 
the lists of inhabitants. 

The following letter of Major Gookin is of interest in this con- 
nection : 

"Boston 9* of June 1685. 
"Wheras Capt Daniel Henchman, was & is impowred by the 
Comitte for the plantation of Quandsicum Alias Worcster : accord- 
ing to a contract made with him : Signed by S'^ Comitte to grant 
«& lay out Lotts And admitt inhabitants (as is more particularly 
expressed in y^ S'' covenant — And wheras the said capt Henchman 
hath granted lotts to seueral persons some whereof are actually 
setled. And Among others hee the said Henchman hath granted 
& layd out certaine Lotts to George Danson of Boston : in the Said 
Towne of Worcster ; vpon w'^'' lotts hee hath laUey set on work- 
men to build & setle the same. But as hee complaanes is inter- 
rupted & put of from his worke By capt John wing, who hath also 
Lotts granted & laid out to him by the said Henchman vpon w'^'' 
hee is actually setled : now It is herby declared that both their 
rights & titles to their Lotts are good & iust & so are all other Lotts 
orderly granted & layd out by Capt Henchman & It is desired no 
interuption may bee giuen, to any man In their setlement of their 
lotts w"*^ will tend to discourage or hinder the sedement of the said 
place : And if Capt wing p'"tend any claime to the land orderly 
laid out, to s'' Danson upon acco' of a second Diuision of farme 
lotts : It is desired that hee, will forbeare to prosecute that matter 
for as much as at p''sent, the comittee judge it most [expedient] 



25 

not to lay out any second diuision for farme lotts vntill such per- 
sons as are or should setle y*^ said towne bee first accomadated 
w"' i^lanting lotts as neere as may be to the center of ye Town 
where y^ meeting house is designed to be sett & mills are erected : 
& a cittadel layd out. And further the Comittee do promise y' if 
Capt wing do cease interupting of y*-" said Danson or any other, y' 
have lotts granted, hee the said wing shal be considered & in the 
first place accomodated w"' his proportion in the second deuision 
of farme lotts as soon as the Comittee shal order the said second 
deuision of farme lotts to be layd out. And it is desired that the 
rest of the Comittee wil ioyne in subscribeing this writting w*^"* I 
conceue may bee for the quiet & promoting and in courage [ing] 
the setlemet of the said place Dated the day & yeare aboue 

written Daniel Gookin Sen"" 

"Chariest. Court 15. 10. 1685. 
"owned by Wor' majo"" Gen" Dan' Gookin Esq to be his Act 
subscribed by himself. 

"Attes' Jonath Remington Cler." 

The testimony of Capt. Henchman is utterly unreconcilable with 
that of the many witnesses ; but it is not our province to decide 
the rights of the case. 

Whatever were the promises of Capt. Henchman, who, as we 
understand it, had full power in the disposition of the land, Mr. 
Danson secured the property by paying the price and obtaining 
Mr. Henchman's acknowledgment of his title. 

Capt. Wing, however, could not rest quietly, and on the 20"^ of 
the following July, (1686) he, with two others, for the third time 
interfered with the surveyor who was measuring Mr. Danson's land, 
breaking his chain, &c. Within a few days of this last assault, the 
Committee appointed by the President and Council to confirm 
lands in Worcester, gave Mr. Danson a full confirmation of his title, 
warning all persons to refrain from molesting him in his possession, 
or the surveyor in his work. 



26 

In this deed of Aug. 2, 1686, (Middlesex Registry, vol. 10, 
page 132) the Committee say that by "our candid dealings" with 
Capt. Wing, "we apprehended he was Satisfyed & would make no 
further interruption tending to the hindrance or disturbance of 
other grantees," &c. ; but in this they were mistaken, as has been 
stated. 

This confirmation to Mr. Danson was then recorded on the books 
of the Proprietors, with the stipulation, however, that he should 
not "erect any corne mil or Saw mill vpon the mil Brook," or in 
any way interfere with Capt. Wing's privileges on the stream. 

When Gov. Andros declared all lands granted under former 
governments forfeited to the Crown, Mr. Danson to make sure of 
his title to the lands for which he had labored so hard, petitioned 
the Government for confirmation, which was granted after notice 
to Capt. Wing, and the plan previously referred to was returned 
by the surveyor. 

Thus was ended a controversy which must have caused a great 
commotion in the little settlement, furnishing for many months a 
lively topic for conversation. At the time of the trial it is evident 
that the larger part of the inhabitants went down to Charlestown, 
returning home, doubtless, with satisfaction at Capt. Wing's partial 
victory. 

In connection with the trials the bills of costs are of considerable 
interest, as all the witnesses were obliged to attend in person, there 
being "noe pson impowered betwixt that place & this Court to 
take their oathes." 

One of the items in the bill rendered by Messrs. Pyke and Hall 
is as follows : "Theire owne comeing from Worcester 43 miles from 
Court 2 dayes comeing & 2 dayes of Hendrance & 2 dayes to goe 
hoame thither at 2' '^ day is ;£i : 04 : 00." The Court, how- 
ever, allowed payment for only one day's travel each way. 

Following are the full bills of costs : 



27 
"John Wing his bill of Costs as Def. George Danson plaintif 



"For the Copy of the Attachment 
his owne Attendance 2 dayes 
Goeing to Worcester to Sumon Witnesses d 5 
five witnesses Attendance Wm Weekes 
Cleo : pyke. Jn. Turner Tho : Hall, & 
Digory Sargeant all dwelling at Worces- 
ter two dayes comeing & 2 dayes attend- 
ance & two dayes goeing hoame at 2 s 
4^' day each one : there l)eing noe pson 
inipovvered betwixt that jilace (.*v: this Court 
to take their oathes 12 s \p' peice is 
A Copy of ye Cenll Courts order 
writeing evidences 
five Sumonses 
fyleing papr no 18 



Abated in the above sd acct 
6 



//> s d 
o. 00. 06 
o. 04. 00 
o. 10. 00 



o. 00. 06 
o. 04. 00 
o. 00. 10 
o. 03. 00 



4. 02. 10 
I. 14. 6 



'ye Copy of ye attachmt o o 

goeing to Sumon witnesss o 10 

10 dayes abated of the witnesss i o 

writing evidences o 4 



2. 18. 4 



I 14 6 " 

"George Pyke & Thomas Hall their bill of Costs as Defendants 
Geo : Danson plaintif 



"ffor the Copies of the Attachment 

Theire owne comeing from Worcester 43 miles 
from Court 2 dayes Comeing & 2 dayes of Ilen- 
drance lS; 2 dayes to goe hoame thither at 2 s 
y*' day is 

the Copy of the comittees report 
Two witnesses William Weekes & Digory Sar- 
geant dwelling at Worcester 43 miles 2 dayes 
comeing 2 days attendance & 2 dayes to goe 
hoame at 2 s ^^'' day 
writeing evidences 
fyleing 10 pajjrs 



lb s d 
o 01. 00 



I 04. 00 



0. 


02. 


00 


I. 


04. 


00 


0. 


01. 


00 





01 


8 



2. 13. 

abate o. 18. 



I. 15. 8 



28 



"al^ated for ye Coppye of attendance o i o 

abated 8 s for ye coming & going O 8 O 

abated 8 s for witnesss coming & going o 8 o 

abated for writing of evidences o i o 



o i8 o" 



Capt. Wing seems to have gained possession of all of these lands 
upon the Mill Brook after the death of Mr. Danson, but by what 
means or at what date has not been determined. In 1712, his 
heirs gave to Thomas Palmer and others deeds of release covering 
more than one thousand acres of land in Worcester. 



The following petition without date, but written about the year 
1687, serves to give an idea of the condition of the town at that 
period. 

"To his Excellency S'' Edmond Andros K' Capt Generall and 
Governour in cheife of his Maj''*-' Territory and Dominion of New 
England 

"The Humble Petition of John Wing in behalfe of himselfe and 
the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Worster in New Eng- 
land 

"Sheweth, 

"That the said Inhabitants by reason of their Late settling said 
Towne being a new Plantation have spent their Stocks to the ut- 
most in their improvements thereon and notwithstanding the same 
have not had before this yeare a supply from the Ground for Bread 
Corne for their sustenation, by which means they are much Fallen 
into debt for their necessary Provision and are reduced to a low 
and meane condition. And Forasmuch as it hath been the antient 
Custome of the Former Governm' for encouragem' of youi\g Plan- 
tations to Remitt them there rates for three or foure yeares after 
settlement thereof. 

"Yo'' Petition"' therefore for himself and in behalf of the rest of 
the s*^ Inhabitants of s*^ Towne humbly Prayes Yo'' Excellency to 
take the Premises into yo"" candid Consideration soe as that yo"" 



29 

Excell'''' will be pleased to Grant s'' Inhabitants the like favour that 
they in the meane time may be thereby enabled to raise something 
for their comfortable subsistence and the discharging such rates as 
hereafter may be assessed on them. 

"And yo"" Petion"' with sd Inhabitants as in duty bound shall ever 
pray 

"By order from the town [ ] have presumed to trobell your 
Exelency John Wing " 

No action upon this petition appears upon the records of the 
Council. 

The four succeeding papers relate to the garrisons erected in 
the town, in anticipation of possible attacks by the Indians who 
were causing much disturbance on the frontier at that time. 

Endorsed : "To The Governer and Covnsel I pray Deliver 
with Care " 

"Woster the ; i agvast : 1692 : 
"To the onered governer and Covnsel These lines are to Inform 
yov that the inhabetans of the town haue begane To erect agaros- 
on of thare own beds with ovt anny order from a Thorot's and i 
went and warned them into Capten wings garoson at woster by 
vertev of an order from his excelence the gooverner and thay re- 
fvseed to Come and seeing that thaye wil not come to the garoson 
we are not mene anove to watch and ward and scovte as the war- 
rant command for all the men in the place is letelanovef for to 
Cepe one garoson 

"IVr Edward Ddowning Commander of The Gaaroson " 

On the same sheet with Downings letter is the following en- 
dorsement : 

"Hon''"'' S'" ! The Bearer hereof Thomas Crosbey, Informes 
me that he was sent to Worster with ffour Souldiers for the strength- 
ning of the Garrison there, by order from Major Henchman, and 



30 

soon after the above named Downing^ wife came to Boston and by 
Cap'"' Wings procurement obteined an order from his Ex'^^' for his 
takeing the command of the Town which he sayth is very much 
resented by the Inhabitants, said Downing being a stranger, but 
newly come thither and of no good Report. He further adds that 
if all the Inhabitants should be drawn into Cap"'' Wing^ Garrison, 
they cannot possibly subsist, it being so remote from their own 
dwellings and flields where their business lyes. And that they have 
neer halfe finished another good Garrison, very conveniently seated, 
and w'^'' will better accommodate them : 

"The young man seems to be very modest and discreet, and 
thinks that he and his fellow Souldiers sent from Chelmsford &c 
are imposed on to be put under y^ Command of Downing, who 
was m'' Lidgetts Coachman, and possibly may be known to some 
of the Gent", with you. 

"I just now received the paper and have forwarded it unto yo"" 
honor to give direction about this affayre as you shall thinke advis- 
able, 

"I fear Cap'"' Wing has overmuch Influenced the same. 
"I am, S'' Yo'" hum'^^'' servant, 
"Boston, Aug 3^^ 1692. Is'' Addington. 

"This young man has been several times this War was at Can- 
ada, and has been an officer : w'''' makes it more hard to be put 
under an Irish stranger./," 

"Woster I agust 1692 
"To the honerabell govenner and councell to let you under stand 
that wea haue cene youre order and am willing to let you now our 
condison and wliat* yeaf are about bilding a place of strenk to bea 
in nere our houses and corne to Keepe us and our corne with the 
blessing of the lord captain wings Is to milles from us and if your 
honner will remoue us it will bea our rowon to draw us from our 
corn And prouision it will undo us wee now life on our groth and 
yeet shall lose all yeef haue 

*That? t Evidently intended for 7iv. 



"And wea desire your honners not to remoue us hot to conider 
our condison Thomas Allerton 

Samvel [lanorson ?] constabel 
Alexander bogell 
gorgus [Ripley?] 
gorgus [ ] 

Beniamin Hinion" 

This letter was undoubtedly written by Thomas Allerton, whose 
name often appears in the town records as Aihei'ton. The second 
signature is possibly lauoison [Lawson ?] ; the fourth and fifth are 
indistinct and undecipherable, but were probably intended for the 
same name, and may be read George Ripley. 

In connection with these papers, another of later date is appro- 
priately inserted here. 

"this may sertiefy that when the garason was bellt in the town 
of woster in Ser Edman Androsis time of gouerment that Eleksan- 
der Boogell wroft vpon the work seaventeen das for whith he was 
to Reseaue thirty four shilling from the contry And this was when 
I had the comand theare when [generall?] Nikason was leftenant 
gouevner as witness this 23 October 1702 

"John Wing" 

The sum of "-^ i. 14." was allowed by the Council to "Alexander 
Bogel for Seventeen Dales Labor in Building a ffortification at 
Worcester." 

There are many records of conveyances of real estate in Wor- 
cester to be found in the Middlesex Registry. In a number of 
instances reference is made to dwelling houses, barns, fruit trees, 
&c., all of which are interesting in determining the date of settle- 
ment or erection of buildings by the several inhabitants. A por- 
tion of these have been copied, but space will not permit their in- 
troduction here. 



32 

Among other items which have come under my observation are 
the following relating to the town at a later period. 

In the Records of the Court of General Sessions the following 
"cautions" are found : 

March lo, 1723-4. "Caution against William Hambleton from 
Brookfield " 

Aug. 25, 1730. "Caution against Mary Wheeler from Sudbur}' 
Aug. 5 " 

In the same Records from 1718 to 1726, several presentments 
appear against the town for neglect in keeping bridges and roads 
in order. 

Dec. 12, 1727, the record appears : "The Selectmen of Wor- 
cester appearing in Court to answer to the presentment of the 
Grand Jurors for neglecting to maintain a writing Schoolmaster in 
Worcester aforesaid for the Instruction of Youth they haveing been 
fully heard are dismissed paying fees & costs." 



During the Indian troubles in the years 1724 and '25, Worces- 
ter shared in the general alarm felt throughout the frontier settle- 
ments, especially in Worcester County, and measures were taken 
for the protection and safety of the people. 

In the Council Records appears the following, July 18, 1724 : 

"A petition of the Town of Worcester to His Hon'' the Lieu' 
Gov"", setting forth their great hazard of being attacked by the In- 
dian enemy & greatly disturbed & hindered in their labour by the 
Enemy sculking in the s'^ Town, 

"Read & Advised that His Honour the Lieut'. Governour order 
a Sergeant & Eight men to be posted at the Town of Worcester 
for the Protection of the Inhabitants in their Harvest." 

The following petition was presented in May, 1725. (Massa- 
chusetts Archives, vol. 52, page 163.) 



"To his Honour The Lieu" Governour, and Comander In Chief 
In and over his. Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay In 
New England the Petition of the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth 

"VVheras The Town of Worcester is very much Exposed to the 
Indian Rebels in the present War : there being a great distance 
between the Towns of Lanchester and Rutland, in which we Ly 
open to the Enemy ; we do therefore (at the desire of the prin- 
ceaple part of our Inhabitants) humbly lay our Diffaculties before 
Your Honour Earnestly Intreeting, that you would be pleased in 
your great wisdom so far to Commizerale oure Distresed state, 
as to send us some soldiars to strengthen our Front (iarrison's and 
scout our wood's, othewise we Fear the sad effects that may hapen, 
there being no scout in our woods or soldiers to Guard our De- 
fenceable places, or Inhabitants most Exposed, And very much 
Disheartened by Reason of the Present Danger they Apprehend 
them selves to be in, and if your Honour will be pleased to send 
us som Reliefe, it will be a means to cause our Front Garrisons 
to keep theire stations ; otherwise we Humbly conceive that it is 
morally Imjjossible they should. And for which great priviledge To 
Youre Honours poor petitioners (as in Duty Bound) shall Ever 
Pray Nathanil Moore ■) 

James M'^clellen (Selectmen of 
Benj'' Flagg, Ju'' f Worcester" 
James Holdin j 

In answer to this request the Council advised that a corporal 
and six men be sent to Worcester, and the following month atlvised 
that a "Recruit of 3 men" be sent there. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 079 630 fl 



